Thistle took just 60 seconds to have the first shooting attempt but Martin Woods’ left foot effort from 30-yards was never troubling Wes Foderingham.

A decent seventh minute move by the Jags involving Paul McGinn and Blair Spittal ended in Sammon racing across Gers stopper David Bates in the box and firing a right foot shot which Foderingham, off his line sharp, parried well.

Moments later Sammon shot just wide as Thistle enjoyed early pressure.

But there was a distinct lack of quality in the opening stages – and the Gers fans were on Bates’ case following several aimless long balls.

However, by 20 minutes the Light Blues started to take control; spraying the ball about, dictating play and winning corners.

Russell Martin went close with a glancing header from a Sean Goss free-kick.

Thistle had the ball in the net on the half hour and it was a brilliant, emphatic finish by Ryan Edwards. The only problem was linesman Stuart Stevenson’s flag had already gone up for offside after Sammon had flicked on a Danny Devine ball from the back.

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Overall the match had been desperate to watch – until suddenly a flash of brilliance broke the dreary deadlock.

Daniel Candeias neatly flicked on a Bates pass for Cummings who controlled and turned before superbly feeding the Portuguese winger who had sped down the right wing.

Without hesitation Candeias drilled an outstanding right foot ball across the face of goal for an unmarked Windass – showing good composure – to beat Tomas Cerny with a left foot finish into the top corner. It was his 10th goal of the season and a peach.